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64 bit OS for new laptop?

post #1 of 19
4/10/09 at 2:02am
Thread Starter 
I am ordering a new laptop, HP Pavilion dv4t, T4200. I can pick 32 bit or 64 bit os at this time, no additional cost other than upgrade from 3 gb to 4 gb RAM for $50. What do you recommend?

Usage:
Internet
MS Office (currently have 2007 office enterprise)
digital photo (download, manipulate for personal use with Adobe Photoshop Elements)
Track family spending (Excel, Quicken)
Track investments (Excel) and tax preparation (Turbotax)

peripherals:
5-in-1 Epson, wired or wireless mode

Thanks for input.
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post #2 of 19
4/10/09 at 1:57pm
If you are wanting to upgrade the ram from 3 gig to 4 gig then you have to go with 64 bit to see and use the full 4 gig of ram. Other than that it all depends on what you are going to be using the laptop for. If you will be using software that was created within the past year or so there should be no or very few issues with using the 64 bit version of windows. That being said, if you are still using older hardware or software quite often they do not like to play with the 64 bit version of windows and will either not run at all or crash very often.

For just the items you listed in the post under usage you should have no problem with going 64 bit. I've been using 64 bit vista for a little over a year and a half and have had no major problems or complaints so far.
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post #3 of 19
4/10/09 at 7:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by cdavis View Post
... I've been using 64 bit vista for a little over a year and a half and have had no major problems or complaints so far.
+1

from an user using 64bits XP and then to Vista 64bits and Windows 7 Beta 64bits ...

cheers ...
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post #4 of 19
4/12/09 at 7:45am
+2 - 64 bit is the future, the Vista version is good but not as good as the windows 7 version.
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post #5 of 19
4/12/09 at 11:43am
Quote:
Originally Posted by philby View Post
+2 - 64 bit is the future, the Vista version is good but not as good as the windows 7 version.
It is so true, based on what I have been playing it so far.

And apart from the fancy stuff that comes with Aero, W7 runs perfectly on even old machines (AMDx64 3400+, Intel P740, 768MB ram ...)

cheers ...
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post #6 of 19
4/12/09 at 6:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by qhn View Post
It is so true, based on what I have been playing it so far.

And apart from the fancy stuff that comes with Aero, W7 runs perfectly on even old machines (AMDx64 3400+, Intel P740, 768MB ram ...)

cheers ...
Have run the 32 bit version on my dell mini 9 and she ran about the same speed as XP. So i think the hardware issues related to Vista are resolved, windows 7 also has the advantage of Vista drivers which are compatable so we wont see the problem of missing driver support.

XP is still good (great compatability and driver support) in it's 32 bit form but seeing as ram is so cheap and DX10 needed for gaming I can see a natural transition over to 64 bit OS occuring in the next few years.
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post #7 of 19
4/12/09 at 8:35pm
Absolutely. XP will still be solid for a while to come, but with W7, Microsoft has a better chance to convince new systems users to move on forward, and onto 64bits.

cheers ...
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post #8 of 19
4/12/09 at 9:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by philby View Post
XP is still good (great compatability and driver support) in it's 32 bit form but seeing as ram is so cheap and DX10 needed for gaming I can see a natural transition over to 64 bit OS occuring in the next few years.
It's funny that it's now been six years since the first 64-bit capable CPU was generally available, 3 years from when almost all mainstream systems became 64-bit compatible, and transition is still in its infancy. So far, the major thing driving 64-bit adaptation is the 32-bit memory address limit. As we continue to see cheap memory and systems being sold with 4GB or more, I think the 64-bit adaptation rate will really start to take off. 2008 marked the first year where 64-bit systems became really practical, and I expect around half of all computers sold to have a 64-bit operating system by 2011 due to the memory limit.
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post #9 of 19
4/12/09 at 9:25pm
Just have to wait for either Operating Systems getting more bloated or games/intensive apps to become more memory-consuming.
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post #10 of 19
4/12/09 at 10:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Djembe View Post
It's funny that it's now been six years since the first 64-bit capable CPU was generally available, 3 years from when almost all mainstream systems became 64-bit compatible, and transition is still in its infancy. So far, the major thing driving 64-bit adaptation is the 32-bit memory address limit. As we continue to see cheap memory and systems being sold with 4GB or more, I think the 64-bit adaptation rate will really start to take off. 2008 marked the first year where 64-bit systems became really practical, and I expect around half of all computers sold to have a 64-bit operating system by 2011 due to the memory limit.
The only other thing holding back a 64 bit future was a good OS, but in essence without cheap ram and a limit on what 32 bit can address why would you bother changing.

Windows 7 is not the holy grail just the best there currently is but you will start to see adoption rates increase the only problem I have with 64 bit OS including Vista is the frustration of only approved drivers which is bulls&^t the future is not one that is controlled by companies but one that allows the user who brought the hardware to be allowed to do what the hell they dam like.

Not every company had the dosh to get their drivers approved by Microgod - innovation is what drives us froward so the sooner they remove this restriction the happier I'll be.
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post #11 of 19
4/13/09 at 10:54am
It is not so much to blame on the devices manufacturers for the demise. Many offer the corresponding drivers with the OS, only to see that laptop manufacturers making some proprietary changes that would hinder the performance of the drivers and causing some compatibility issues.

How often do we hear that such and such laptop models not supporting XP, 64bits etc ...? Yet the drivers are out there and being made available.

cheers ...
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post #12 of 19
4/13/09 at 12:47pm
Microsoft's not going anywhere anytime soon. If you don't agree with their policies and you want change then you need to find a new OS. You can't have your cake and eat it too. For other reasons, I'm rooting for M$ to remain on top.
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post #13 of 19
4/14/09 at 1:10am
Quote:
Originally Posted by zzpulp View Post
Microsoft's not going anywhere anytime soon. If you don't agree with their policies and you want change then you need to find a new OS. You can't have your cake and eat it too. For other reasons, I'm rooting for M$ to remain on top.
I know - just get peeved when the OS restricts the drivers - have a finger print scanner on my laptop & no "approved" drivers so is basically useless, also want to run IK8fanGUI - can't drivers not approved - want to play with overclocking the video card - sorry can't do that drivers aren't approved.

yet under 32 bit no problem all OK!!!!! unapproved driver just click yes.

Could go on but u get the gist - Microgod - please let me play I promise not to hold u responsible if i get a BSOD!!!!!!!
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post #14 of 19
4/14/09 at 1:57am
Ah, I hear you. Never tried any 64 bit M$ OS.
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post #15 of 19
4/14/09 at 10:21am
Quote:
Originally Posted by zzpulp View Post
Ah, I hear you. Never tried any 64 bit M$ OS.
Be brave (make sure that pepto bismol is around)

cheers ...
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post #16 of 19
4/26/09 at 9:44pm
Alright guys, Most of the games today say requrements: Windows Xp service pack 2...and Windows Vista (32bit).

Will these games still run with 64 bit Vista? Just concerned, I have just ordered a Sager 5797(Specs below)and was wondering if I will have any problems running these type of games (like COD4,COD5 and Red Alert 3).

Thanks in advance...KY_BULLET
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post #17 of 19
4/26/09 at 9:53pm
Most of them will run fine. I've reviewed 2 computers with 64-bit Vista, and the only game in my review kit (demo versions of Bioshock, Call of Duty 4, Crysis, Doom 3, Quake 4, Company of Heroes, FEAR, and World in Conflict) that didn't run on either system was Doom 3.
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post #18 of 19
4/26/09 at 10:06pm
Not sure why you couldn't play doom 3 on the 2 64 bit systems you tried. I am able to run doom 3 on my desktop and on the Vostro 1500 laptop on my sig just fine with vista 64 sp1 w/all current updates.
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post #19 of 19
5/3/09 at 4:07am
32 bit games are fully supported - have played

BF2142
CnC3
FEAR
Bioshock

All ran fine - 64 bit fully supports 32 bit apps - it's only the drivers linked to these apps which can be a problem (like the ik8fanGUI driver) otherwise your OK

However for full freedom you need XP, for restricted freedom then Vista 32 - for limited freedom 64bit.
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